The Alabama School of Health Sciences (ASHS) has welcomed two leaders with deep roots in the state’s business and nonprofit sectors to its board of directors. Foundation The first semester is scheduled to begin in Fall 2026.

In a key move following the school’s approval by the Alabama Legislature and its signing by Governor Kay Ivey, Ted Hospital of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and Freddy Padilla of Alabama Power Co. were appointed to the board.

Hosp is attorney and vice president of government relations for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama, which he joined in 2018. Previously, he served as chair of Maynard, Cooper & Gale's Government and Regulatory Affairs practice group for 20 years and taught government ethics and election law as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama School of Law. His nonprofit work includes serving on the boards of directors of Alabama Legal Services, Children First Foundation, Children's Aid Society and the Frank M. Johnson Foundation.

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Hospice sees ASHS as a way to open new doors. “There’s a real need across the country, and especially here in Alabama, to get talented young people into the health care workforce,” he says. “I’m incredibly honored and excited to be part of a foundation that will help make this opportunity a reality.”

Ms. Padilla has worked in external operations for Alabama Power for 13 years and currently serves as assistant to the senior vice president. Previously, she served as federal operations manager in Washington, D.C., before moving into public affairs and government relations for the company's Western division.

He serves on the boards of Alabama Black Belt Adventures, the Zero Zero Foundation, the Alabama Business Coalition in Washington, DC, and is an active member of the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

Padilla, a Demopolis native, believes in ASHS's long-term potential. “Their recent planning and collaboration to address workforce needs across the state is inspiring,” he said. “I'm focused on ASHS's mission to prepare tomorrow's health care workers and look forward to helping jumpstart student employment through partnerships that benefit the entire state of Alabama.”

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Alabama Healthcare Sciences High School will provide a STEM-focused curriculum and hands-on training that will allow students to enter high-demand health care professions in areas of urgent need or to pursue more advanced medical education. According to Rob Pearson, chairman of the foundation, the school is being built from the ground up, both conceptually and physically.

“Ted Hospice and Freddie Padilla bring leadership skills and strong networks to our board,” Pearson said, “More importantly, they care deeply about the state's youth and are committed to helping our organization support schools that serve the needs of Alabama's rural health care workforce.”

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson